Mark Anthony Savelesky

Mark Anthony Savelesky died at Valley General Hospital on Tuesday, April 8, after a brief battle with cancer and related health conditions, age 75.

The last of eleven children in the Henry/Verna Savelesky family of Davenport, Washington, Mark was born September 22, 1949. He was an adventuresome child, hiking, camping, and engaging in childhood games at the nearby Cottonwood Creek. He graduated from Davenport Grade School and then from Davenport High School. Several homes around town knew him as their prompt paperboy. Even before completing high school he was engaged in what became his life-long career in the supermarket business. Although invited to assume administrative positions, he always chose to remain behind the scenes, ordering and receiving freight, stocking shelves, and fixing things broken. Over the years two major national grocery chains benefited from his service.

After high school Mark enrolled at Spokane Community College where he honed his natural skills at construction, gardening, and lawn care. He put his Associate's Degree to plentiful use: Over the years many family members, friends, church community, and neighbors have benefited from those skills – and captured a glimpse of the soul of a quiet, unassuming man of loving service. Retirement from the supermarket industry did not alter his cadence. Until recent months, it was not at all unusual to find him on hands and knees, fixing something or working at the service of someone.

During the Vietnam War he was drafted into the United States Army and was sent to Southeast Asia where he, like so many other young men, endured battle conditions and the devastation of warfare. After his tour of duty, he was honorably discharged; he happily returned to his supermarket work and helpfulness to others. He once again embraced his favorite pastime of fishing, for a brief time took up go-cart racing, and devoted himself to the mastery of scores of large puzzles,

Mark is survived by his much-loved and cared-for neighbor-friend of thirty-six years, Jackie Reason. Of his ten siblings, four remain: Michael (Spokane); David (Gig Harbor); Melvin (Walla Walla); and Henry/Mickie (Walla Walla). They, in turn, have blessed the world with several nieces, nephews, and their offspring. He also is survived by an adopted adult son, Jeffrey Savelesky (Spokane). His parents, Henry L. Savelesky and Verna P. Boleneus, preceded him in death – as did six siblings: Dorothy, Paul, Earl, Allen, Linda, and Cynthia.

Mark's Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, April 26, 1:00 p.m., at Knox Presbyterian Church, 806 W. Knox, Spokane, Washington, where he attended. A reception will follow in the church's Fellowship Hall. Private inurnment will take place at a later date.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mark's honor can do so at a charity of their choosing or make a donation to the Knox Deacons Fund at Knox Presbyterian, 806 W. Knox, Spokane, WA 99205.